California Department of Water Resources Announces 60 Percent Initial State Water Project Allocation for 2012

Sacramento, CA-California’s initial water allocation for 2012 reflects the very wet year we’ve had in 2011. Public water agencies continue to face a great deal of uncertainty because our water delivery system is extremely vulnerable.

The water supply for 25 million people, businesses and farms is channeled by old and fragile levees built 100 years ago. A major earthquake in Northern California could trigger levees to break throughout the Delta, allowing saltwater to rush in from the San Francisco Bay contaminating a significant portion of our freshwater supply. Public water agencies throughout the state support the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, which seeks to secure a reliable water supply through construction of a new water delivery system and significant habitat restoration efforts. For more information, please visit http://www.swc.org/issues/delta-disrupted.

“This is a welcome change for public water agencies but, 2011’s wet weather does not change the fact that California’s water delivery system is extremely vulnerable and creates enormous water supply uncertainties for 25 million people, businesses and farms.”

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The heart of California’s water system and the largest estuary on the West Coast—the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta—is highly vulnerable. Environmental concerns are mounting. Water supplies are at risk. The U.S. Geological Survey has warned of a 63 percent probability that a 6.7 magnitude or larger earthquake will hit in the next 30 years....